Sheila-Joon Azim’s Psychedelic Solo Show “Ophelia’s Refrain” #HFF25

What if Ophelia took acid?

Sheila-Joon Azim’s psychedelic solo show, Ophelia’s Refrain follows the true story of a blue-eyed, blonde, half-Iranian woman from the streets of Seattle to the depths of the Amazon in a raw search for healing, identity, and meaning. Through song, movement, and a splash of punk rock, Ophelia’s Refrain unspools a fever dream of sex, shame, and unraveling — becoming no one—so she can become herself. 

Directed by Shyamala Moorty (Director of HFF 2024’ winner for Best Physical Theater The Anti Yogi Liberation Not Lululemon). Sound design by Jess Baxter with original music from Sheila-Joon Azim.  Ophelia’s Refrain will have 5 performances at Actors Company (Other Space Theater 916 N.Formosa Ave) beginning Saturday, June 7th at 3:30 PM, continuing Friday, June 13th at 8:30 PM; Thursday, June 19th at 10:00 PM; Monday, June 23 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, June 29th at 12:00 PM.

The Other Space Theater  is located at 916 N Formosa Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Tickets are available at the Hollywood Fringe Website.

Sheila-Joon Azim* (AEA-SAG/AFTRA) is a half-Iranian actor-yogi, who spent decades on stage in New York having appeared in several of Shakespeare’s plays with Judith Shakespeare Company as well as many original works Off-Broadway at The Duke Theatre, TBG Theatre, Theatre Row, Astoria Performing Arts Center and Metropolitan Playhouse, etc. Regional credits include The McCarter Theatre, George St. Playhouse and a national tour of Charlotte’s Web, playing Charlotte. SJ is currently appearing in Peter Galipeau’s feature film “Ward D” and in February of 2025 was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Triborough Film Festival. In addition to performance, SJ teaches and practices Yoga and will be pursuing her Master’s degree in Yoga Studies this Fall 2025 at Loyola Marymount University. 

Shyamala Moorty works to create projects that empower participants and transform audiences.  As a Performance Doula, she has provided dramaturgy, choreography and direction for solo artists and small ensembles since 2011.  She created her own solo shows with TeAda Productions, RISE – a “tour de force” (LA Times, 2003), and Carrie’s Web – “that special kind of healing that art can accomplish” (Contemporary Indian Dance, 2011). Her two short films “How Do You Fall Out of Love with Country Music?” and “Fight the Fear” have won multiple awards and are currently showing on the film festival circuit.  Her first Hollywood Fringe was in 2024, when she was honored to co-Direct and work on dramaturgy for two solo shows with the incredibly talented D’lo.  One of their shows together, The Anti Yogi by Mayuri Bhandari, won the Fringe Award for Dance and Physical Theatre and Zephyr’s Zest Award.  When she’s not directing, she teaches Choreography and Improvisation at CSULB and co-runs a small performance company that specializes in shows for kids and families www.dancingstorytellers.com .  For more information visit www.shyamalamoorty.com